Game of life: Harly Day played for OU NCAA runner-up team, coached Chickasha to state titles

A farewell to those with Oklahoma ties who enjoyed the game day experience:

*Former Ada High School football and basketball standout Harly Day died at age 89. Day played on the 1947 Oklahoma basketball team that finished as NCAA runner-up. He spent several years as head basketball coach at Chickasha High School, guiding the Chicks to state championships in 1953 and 1955. The 1954 team finished as state runner-up. Day spent more than 20 years as the high school principal. A street near the school campus is named in his honor.

*John Kulla, a former Mannford football coach and University of Tulsa linebacker, died at age 59 from a degenerative brain disorder. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native played for TU over the 1973-77 seasons. Kulla spent two years as a teacher/coach at Berryhill High School, and then returned to Tulsa as a graduate assistant coach. He was later hired by Mannford, where he spent 27 seasons as an assistant coach and two years as the Pirates' head coach. Kulla was a history teacher in the classroom and intrigued by Civil War re-enactments. “Even for a kid who was average on his very best day, he made sure you knew he cared for you regardless of what you could do in the classroom or on the field. And you never doubted it,” former student Kelly Spradlin told the Tulsa World.

*Long time coach Gene Andruss died at age 78. Andruss coached high school basketball at Fairview, Cherokee and Pryor. He also served as an assistant coach at Claremore Junior College and Oklahoma City University. Andruss was a standout basketball player, helping Enid win the 1952 Class A state championship. He then played collegiately at Phillips.

MORE FROM NEWSOK

by Scott Munn

Sports Assistant Editor

Scott Munn joined The Oklahoman/Oklahoma City Times sports staffs in October 1982. He spent a year as a formcharter, three years on the desk and 16 as a reporter. Scott has spent the last nine years as an evening assistant sports editor. Scott's...

NewsOK.com asked Facebook readers, “If they had such a game, would you pay $10 for admittance to a spring football exhibition between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State? Why or why not? Here are some of the responses.

*Ruth Dean Roberts said: “Do not tease us! Heck yes.”

*Angi Kennedy: “In a heartbeat.”

*Sweets OntheSide: “I'd attend ... with the idea that the admission fee should go to charity.”

*Jason Black: “Yes, but neither team wants the potential injuries, and it would be real vanilla in the play calling and probably boring with nothing real at stake.”

*Ernie DeBernard: “No, I can wait for the real game. It's better for them to play with something on the line.”

*Derrick Hedrick: “I would pay it, but neither team would show their hand. The tailgating would be fun, though.”

*Ross Jury: “I think it would be very beneficial to both to see where they're at. I think $20 or $30 (admission price) would be very appropriate.”

*Tim French: “ I would have already bought tickets.”

*Steven Race: “Heck yes I would. An extra Bedlam game ... proceeds could be used to help both schools or for charities. I think this would be great. Bring it on!”

*Steve Anderson: “No way! Too much at stake in terms of injuries.”

Truth be told

The Oklahoman asked high school athletes: What's the best advice you've received?